Manoir des Cedres Hotel, Rouffignac-Saint-Cemin

For over 25 years this park has allowed visitors to come into close (and safe!) encounter with crocodiles, cobras and more than 200 other reptiles and venomous species.

This outdoor park has a tree-top trail, paintball, mountain-biking, canoeing and horse-riding for those seeking a bit more adventure or a change from the pretty villages and vineyard visits.

A delightful trip along the river that runs through the heart of Bergerac on a traditional wooden barge.

A great place for a family day out and to escape the pre-historic world of the Dordogne...instead, enjoy the family atmosphere and displays of this fresh water aquarium.

In the heart of the 'Purple Perigord' you can share and enjoy the passion of owner Jean-Pierre who has been part of competitive karting since the late 1980's.

Hire a canoe or kayak from this company and you can enjoy a gentle river cruise and the chance to explore the wonderful Dordogne river and its banks.

The dining rooms allow for views of the surrounding vineyards and rolling hills. Drinks can also be enjoyed in the small library or among the chestnut trees.

This elegant and sophisticated two Michelin star restaurant offers creative dishes designed by chef Cédric Béchade, who plays with colours and textures in his cuisine.

Located 50 yards from the Vieux Logis Hotel, the Bistrot de la Place has exposed wooden beams, simple yet effective place settings and makes you feel immediately comfortable in the fuss free, cosy setting in the centre of Trèmolat.

At the top of the hills of Monbazillac, surrounded by vineyards, the shady terraces and dining rooms of this restaurant offer an unforgettable panoramic view. The chef, Marie Rougier, produces a fine dining menu from seasonal products.

The restaurant of this excellent 4-star hotel is one of the best in the region. The manor building is set in beautiful grounds, and chef, Ludovic Lavaud, harmoniously matches local products and traditional cuisine with a touch of oriental perfume. The cave is exceptional too.

Set inside a 106-hectare estate Castle, the restaurant setting alone is worth a visit, but with beautiful stone walls, painted wooden beams and decorated in traditional fashion, it is very much worth taking a step inside.

This huge cave is one of the largest in the region and contains over 250 prehistoric animal paintings and drawings. Once occupied by bears, whose paw marks are visible on the walls, the etchings and drawings in the Grotte de Rouffignac are mainly mammoth-themed despite few mammoth bones having been found in southwest France. Accessible only by electric train in order to ensure their preservation, they are an incredible example of prehistoric art.

This is an impressive honey-stoned troglodyte house built within large cave shelters. Its relatively modest exterior disguises the space within, which is decorated in a grand style, with original medieval furniture and tapestries. 

These impressive caves and cliff face are situated halfway between les Eyzies and Montignac-Lascaux.

This village on the Vézère river has been inhabited since prehistoric times when cavemen dwelled in the rock shelters offered in the sides of the cliffs. 

The Grand Roc cave, registered with UNESCO as a World Heritage site, is a true mineral forest, including crystallizations, calcite flows, stalactites, stalagmites, pillars, eccentric stalactites, draperies, and more. 

This rock shelter was discovered in the late 19th century, but its fascinating engravings of prehistoric fish were not identified for some 20 years. 

The town and the surrounding prehistoric sites have been designated a UNESCO World Heritage site. Nearly 150 sites have already been discovered and contain significant finds dating back as far as the Middle Stone Age - about 300,000 to 40,000 years ago.

The pretty old town of Montignac serves as a good base for visiting the nearby prehistoric caves.

The relaxed town of Le Bugue sits on the river Vézère where it's joined by the Doux. A more tranquil base for exploring the region, it has some pretty, narrow streets and a bustling market twice a week.

Limeuil is a picturesque old village which features on the list of 'Les Plus Beaux Villages de France'. It has a pretty park on the top of the hill and some ruins from its medieval past.

Trémolat was originally home to a 6th century hermit, Saint-Cybard, before monks built their monastery here in the 9th century.

Standing out as one of the most charming towns in the region, this medieval dwelling remains much as it was when it was built in the 14th century.